Spartans down Harding, 12-8

May 19, 2011

Warren Harding started the game off on May 12 with four runs in the second inning while Boardman answered with seven runs in their half of the inning. Carmen Tarantino led off the Spartans with a double, David DiBernardi then beat out an infield hit and Joe Markovich drew a walk to load the bases. Phil DiIanni got a solid double just inside the right field foul line to score two.

Derek Pasquale drew a walk and Nico DiIanni drove in a run to tie the score at four. Dan Popio doubled down the left field line for two RBIs and a single by Tarantino put runners at first and third. Tarantino attempted to steal second and drew the throw to get him in a rundown, which allowed Popio to score. An error during the rundown finds Tarantino safe at second. The inning ended with Boardman in a 7-4 lead.

In the third, Boardman came up with two runs on a Mark Leone single to center field. Harding picked up a run in the fourth, while Boardman left one on base with a score of 9-5 after four innings.

Harding made a game of it in the fifth by loading the bases and Boardman left the inning scoreless. Harding came away with three runs to close the gap to 9-8.

In the sixth inning, Jake Stauffer came on in relief of Troy Parks and retired the Raiders in order. In Boardman’s half of the inning, Tarantino doubled down the right field line to drive in Popio. Markovich doubled to drive in Tarantino. Phil DiIanni singled to drive in Markovich and Boardman took a 12-8 lead.

Warren’s first batter got a base hit and the next batter hits into a 6-4-3 double play. Stauffer seals the save with a game-ending strikeout. In addition to a his job behind the plate for the Spartans, Dan Popio went two-for-four with an RBI and two runs scored while Phil DiIanni went two-for-three with three RBIs and a run scored.

Article Photos

Photos by Jim McCreary, Town Crier correspondentSenior Mark Leone finishes a seventh inning double play with a throw from junior Derek Pasquale and a great stretch.

Junior Dan Popio beats the throw to the plate to score one of Boardman's 12 runs.

Nico DiIanni makes a diving catch for the third out in the third inning during the Spartans' 12-8 win over Harding.

Junior Jake Stauffer comes on in relief in the sixth inning and faces six batters for the save.

Boardman's junior starting pitcher Troy Parks goes five innings to get the win against Warren Harding, May 12.